Meet Alfie Lumsden, a Chemical Engineering student who has just won silver at the BUCS Boxing Championship. What started as a single punch at home has turned into a routine, a support network, and a real ambition.
How It All Began
I didn’t start boxing because of some dramatic epiphany. When I was nine, I punched my dad—once, but well—and he said, “You could try a bit of boxing.” I did.
Training might look simple on paper, but the consistency is what counts. I split my week between two gyms, combining sparring, bag work and technical drills. At Gladiators, three to four times a week, I sharpen my instincts and get most of my sparring done. Back in Leeds on Fridays, I focus on technical work at Burmantofts Amateur Boxing Club, polishing skills I’ve practised all week.
Sparring is where the real lessons come from. There’s a guy called Chris at Gladiators who’s been in national finals. He hits harder than most, and just being in the ring with him teaches you more than any drill. A typical session mixes bag rounds, technical drills and multiple sparring rounds to test them under pressure.
Balancing boxing with university takes planning. I wake up at 5:30am to train, then head to lectures and practicals, return to the gym in the evening, and sleep early to recover. It’s not glamorous, but sticking to the routine is how progress happens.
Support has been huge. My dad has been in my corner from day one, and now he helps out during fights, which makes a massive difference. Coaches and training partners also push you in ways you only notice in the ring.
The championship itself felt like a national competition with cameras, finals energy, and even a little fame. Silver felt amazing, but I’m aiming for gold next. Short-term goals are cup competitions and more championships; long-term is to see how far I can take boxing.
The lessons are simple but powerful. Consistency beats talent, tough sparring partners teach you to adapt, deliberate technical work matters, having a support team makes competition easier, and balancing life and recovery keeps you moving forward.
Boxing started with a casual suggestion and a single punch. Now it’s a routine, a support system, and a real ambition. The path is clear: train regularly, surround yourself with the right people, and make space to recover. Next time, gold is the target—and I’m ready to put in the work to get there.
